What is the Main Difference Between a Federal Form of Government and a Unitary One? Explain with an Example
By Balaji
Updated on: February 17th, 2023
The Difference Between a Federal Form of Government and a Unitary One is that there is no hierarchy of sovereign power in a unitary government, but the federal government has fixed sovereign hierarchy levels. The difference is based on how power is shared in these systems. However, in a federal system, the central government has the power to write the decisions of the state.
Table of content
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1. Difference Between a Federal Form of Government and a Unitary One
Difference Between a Federal Form of Government and a Unitary One
The major Difference Between a Federal Form of Government and a Unitary One is listed in the table given below:
| Unitary Government | Federal Government |
| No hierarchy of power exists. | Power is shared between central and shared governments. |
| State governments do not have the authority to pass separate laws. | The central government holds the power to pass laws for all states. |
| One central system of governance holds all power. | Shared powers at national and state levels. |
| The source of power is a single central government responsible for passing the country’s laws and looking after law and order in the country. | There are different levels of power at the state and central levels. |
| Example: China, UK, Sri Lanka. | Example: India, Switzerland, Canada. |
Types of Federal Government
Federalism in India refers to a Government system consisting of two levels: a central level and a regional level. There are two categories of Federal Government:
- Coming Together Federations – Examples are Switzerland, the United States of America (USA), and Australia.
- Holding Together Federations – Examples are India, Spain, and Belgium.
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